Why is this election close?

The presidential election is still close, and I don’t know why. We have a disgraced former president, a convicted felon running against an incumbent vice president with over 20 years of public service and a law degree. Trump has demonstrated that he is too old and confused to be elected again. He cannot speak coherently, and his thought process rambles from one subject to another. It is very scary, and even our allies around the world are worried about his return to power.

Trump refuses to accept the 2020 election results and incited the riot and the desecration of our U.S. Capitol building. This act is unprecedented in our country’s history and should be condemned by all Americans. If elected, Trump has promised to pardon the criminals convicted in this insurrection. Apparently, Trump and his brain trust still don’t realize that the early returns had him ahead because the results were being reported from Republican districts where in-person ballots were cast. When other precincts were counted along with the Democratic majority of mail-in votes, he ended up losing by about 7 million votes. All of his lawsuits were rejected. End of subject, except for him.

His propensity to bully, lie and insult just about every class of voter — including veterans, essentially all minorities, the LGBTQ+ community and especially women — is unprecedented. His obsessive need to control a woman’s right to make decisions about her body is more than troubling. Trump even torpedoed a bipartisan bill to improve immigration policy so he could make it a campaign issue rather than fix the issue.

It’s time to hold Trump accountable for his actions. If everyone who has been negatively impacted by Trump and his tactics votes, we can send him back to Florida.

— Fred Ludwig, Ellicott City

What are Kamala Harris’ policies?

I am still in the dark on Kamala Harris’ positions, other than abortion. That should not be the major issue deciding Maryland’s direction because it is already well protected. The abundance of other important domestic and foreign issues should be considered. Harris has been seen on the friendly circuit of televised interviews recently, with little of substance asked and learned about her policy positions — other than stating she wouldn’t do anything differently than President Joe Biden. It is ironic she is being described as the candidate for change. When she does get some hardball questions (“60 Minutes” interview), she evades accountability about past performance (like the migrant and fentanyl crises) of the current administration and goes off on tangents with no meaningful connection to the question. I guess if she is elected, those who vote for her might eventually find out who they voted for!

— Michael Ernest, Catonsville

Seems like an easy choice

In response to the article comparing Tim Walz and JD Vance, please consider that Walz, as Minnesota governor, ensured free school breakfasts and lunches so children could learn. He increased taxes on the wealthy, so they would pay their fair share and then decreased the burden on the rest of us. Vance, an Ohio senator, publicly and falsely stated that immigrants eat cats and dogs.

Tough choice.

— Hilda Coyne, Baltimore

Md. won’t decide control of the Senate

At this point, it’s disingenuous to argue Maryland will decide control of the Senate. With Republicans leading in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia, they have more than enough seats to win the majority. With Republicans neck and neck with their opponents in Nevada, Michigan and Wisconsin, it’s an open-and-shut case.

I know the voters of Maryland are smart enough to not be scared into voting based solely on party loyalty — they recognize that only strong independent leadership in the Senate will lead to good results for Maryland.

— Alexander Rauda, Riverdale

Past is prologue

For 20 years of my long nursing career, I served as an oncology nurse and then as a hospice nurse. I witnessed the ravages of cancer. I was dismayed to see Larry Hogan reference his cancer in a recent political ad. Why? Because Hogan’s profound life-altering journey did not inform his tenure as governor. As governor, Hogan was in a powerful position to lift some burden off the shoulders of cancer patients and their families. He chose not to take those opportunities.

Lost wages contribute to significant stress. Cancer treatments are protracted and come with difficult side effects. Workers fortunate to have sick time often exhaust it. The federal Family Medical Leave Act allows job protection, but it does not cover all workers. The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill that modestly fills in some of the gaps. Hogan vetoed it.

An additional stressor is the cost of medication. Oral chemotherapy medications can cost from $10,000 to $25,000 a month. The Maryland General Assembly established the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The purpose is to make drug pricing more transparent. Hogan withheld the funding, significantly delaying the work of the board.

Past is prologue. I rejoice with Hogan in his victory over cancer. I wish him a very long, happy and healthy life. I do not wish him a seat in the U.S. Senate, where he could extend his indifference to cancer patients across the country.

— Patty Nicholls, Loch Hill

Who are you voting for and why? Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.